James Dean
James Byron Dean was an iconic American actor born in rural Indiana, who became one of Hollywood's greatest stars before his untimely death at the age of twenty-four. He was raised on a farm and showed early talent in various arts, including violin and tap dancing. After moving to California and attending college, Dean transitioned from television commercials to stage acting in New York. His breakout role came in the film "East of Eden," followed by his legendary performance in "Rebel Without a Cause," which resonated with the youth culture of the 1950s. Tragically, Dean died in a car accident shortly after filming "Giant." Despite having only three films to his name, his charismatic presence and portrayal of teenage angst left a lasting impact, solidifying his status as a cultural icon. Dean continues to be remembered and honored, with numerous tributes and pilgrimages to his grave in Fairmount, Indiana. His legacy endures, symbolizing the restless spirit of adolescence and the complexities of fame.
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Subject Terms
James Dean
- Born: February 8, 1931
- Birthplace: Marion, Indiana
- Died: September 30, 1955
- Place of death: Cholame, California
Identification American film actor
Because of his movie roles and the way he lived, and died, James Dean became a universal symbol of adolescent angst.
James Byron Dean lived the American Dream; he was born and raised in a small, rural Indiana town, and by the age of twenty-four was considered one of Hollywood’s greatest stars. Dean grew up on a farm near Fairmount, Indiana, where he played on the local high school basketball team. Despite his rural upbringing, he studied violin, tap dancing, and art. Following graduation from high school, he moved to California, where he attended Santa Monica Junior College and the University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA). He also attended an acting workshop conducted by James Whitmore. He landed a few television commercials, including one for Pepsi. In the winter of 1951, he moved to New York to pursue a stage acting career. Following moderate stage success and a few television appearances, he was tapped in late 1954 to appear in the movie East of Eden (1955).
Before East of Eden even premiered, Dean got the starring role in the movie that was to define his legend, Rebel Without a Cause (1955). Prior to filming it, he moved to Hollywood. He celebrated the success of East of Eden by buying a Porsche and began entering road races—an activity typical of his fast-paced lifestyle. Rebel Without a Cause was filmed from March through May of 1955. He then traveled to Texas for the filming of his third movie, Giant (1956), starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. When filming was completed, he returned to Hollywood. On September 30, 1955, on his way to a race in Salinas, California, Dean was killed in a highway accident while driving at a high rate of speed. Ironically, he had filmed a public service television commercial on highway safety only two weeks before his death.
By the time of his death, Dean had made only three films, two of which had not premiered by the time of his death, and had done so in less than a year, but they were enough to make him a widely admired star and ultimately a legend that spoke to the restless American youth of the 1950’s. He had a charismatic screen presence and natural acting ability. He was posthumously nominated for Academy Awards for both East of Eden and Giant, but did not win.
Impact
In the years since Dean’s death, there have been hundreds of books and articles written about him; at least forty-three songs have been recorded in tribute to him. Artists portray him as the subject of their paintings. Perhaps because he never got old, he remains the symbol of adolescent angst that he portrayed in his three films. Fans make annual pilgrimages to his grave in Fairmount, Indiana, to honor his memory.
Bibliography
Dalton, David. James Dean, the Mutant King: A Biography. San Francisco: Straight Arrow Books, 1974. Shows how deliberately and carefully Dean crafted his own image and performances. An excellent bibliography is included.
Holley, Val. James Dean: The Biography. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1995. Concentrates on his Manhattan years. Bibliography, index.
Spoto, Donald. Rebel: The Life and Legend of James Dean. New York: HarperCollins, 1996. Excellent biography with extensive bibliography and index. The author takes a dispassionate look at the legend of Dean and argues that his untimely death was probably his greatest career move.